Neighbor Talks About Helping Woman Being Held Captive By Son

A 54-year-old woman is beaten up and held against her will allegedly by her son, the woman was able to get away thanks to someone who came knocking on her door. Our Anayeli Ruiz spoke with a neighbor who helped the victim call 911. The concerned neighbor didn't want to identify herself.

The incident happened in the 800 block of Hancock Avenue Monday night at around 11:40 PM. According to the Corpus Christi Police Department, the victim managed to get to the neighbors and call the police after someone came to knock at the victims door.

"And he was barricading her overnight he was on top of her, so she couldn't come out. So a friend came and knocked on the door and that's when she escaped and I was walking, that's when I saw her and I had to help her out," said the concerned neighbor.

Witnesses say the victim was badly beaten on her face and body, she had two black eyes, a cut to her left eye brow, a bloody nose and mouth and hand print around her neck and jaw area.

"Have you ever seen a boxer beaten up, well that way all her arms, ribs, her face. I mean real beat up," said the neighbor.

Police say Joe Witherspoon, 28, had beaten her all night Sunday into Monday night. The victim tried to leave several times but neighbors tell us that Witherspoon threatened to hurt his mother when she tried to leave. Officers arrested Witherspoon and the woman was transported to Christus Spohn Memorial Hospital.

The neighbor we spoke with says Witherspoon has a history of aggression, "he's a very, very aggressive person and abusive person and he just needs to be put away."

Police say Witherspoon faces a charge of unlawful restraint and aggravated assault. Neighbors here say they hope he never hurts his mother again.

To report suspected abuse, you can call the Adult Protective Services abuse hotline at 1-800-252-5400.